OWB. IWB. AIWB. A lot of acronyms are thrown around about holsters, and you might be wondering both what they mean and whether it matters. It does matter which holster you select, and not just the style. Inside-the-Waistband (IWB) is a popular method of carrying a gun concealed. Appendix-Inside-the-Waistband (AIWB) is a form of IWB that involves wearing a concealed gun at the front of the body to one side or another of the midline.
So, why does it matter? Because you can’t simply buy a random holster, you have to choose carefully, and even then it’s normal to end up with a box of castoffs. If you’re interested in IWB with a side of AIWB, take a look at five IWB options we feel are worth a closer look.
1. Galco Kingtuk
Galco is a popular holster company that makes countless designs for untold numbers of firearms. Their holsters might be leather, Kydex, or hybrid; you could find one for IWB or another for a chest rig for going hunting. The Galco Kingtuk is one of the company’s more popular models and is offered with a few variations in size, shape, and material. This is a great option for those who prefer a large back piece to their holsters. Pros of a larger piece include protecting both your skin and the gun from one another, improved comfort, and an easier-to-conceal footprint.
2. DeSantis Hidden Truth
If you’ve considered carrying a spare magazine for your self-defense handgun, you might have debated simply sticking it in your pocket, and whether it really needs its own holster. There are pros and cons to a completely separate magazine holster, but if you use a one-piece holster that retains both, it’s all good. That’s where the DeSantis Hidden Truth comes in. Both your gun and the mag will be exactly where you left them, the draw stroke for each will be in the same area, and you won’t have extra gear floating around. It has two clips to attach to your belt and is also adjustable for height and cant. This model is designed for AIWB, but it’s possible to use it at other locations on your belt as well, although that will affect the ease with which the spare mag is drawn.
3. PHLster Pro Holster
PHLster is a company of incredible innovation despite their having been on the market for under a decade. The PHLster Pro Holster is a Kydex IWB design with a pair of durable loops for your gun belt. It’s ergonomically designed for comfort and concealment and provides a solid degree of retention. One of its features is the company’s ModWing to reduce printing. This model works with some of the manufacturer’s other accessories as well such as the TuckStrut or Grip Hooks. PHLster goes the extra mile to make its holsters as customizable as possible and also provides stellar videos and online forums that revolve entirely around learning about concealed carry.
4. Crossbreed MiniTuck
The Crossbreed MiniTuck is a hybrid IWB holster, meaning it has a leather back and a Kydex shell face. Belt clips are located at either end of the holster and are adjustable for cant and ride height. The shell that retains the holster is molded to fit the specific model of gun and covers the trigger guard. This is a holster that’s easy to wear thanks to the design. Crossbreed makes it in a variety of color combinations, too, so you can choose the color of both the backer and the shell.
5. Blackhawk Stache
The Blackhawk Stache is a basic, straightforward IWB holster created for a minimal profile to reduce printing. There’s a second version of the Stache available that includes an attached holster magazine as well. The basic model includes the holster itself and a clip for the user’s belt; the Premium model includes the magazine holder and concealment claw. It provides some retention and is adjustable for height and cant. The holster itself is injection molded and, due to its shape, compatible with pistols that have RDS mounted to them.
What’s your favorite IWB holster? Tell us in the comments section.
